Albert Rifkind. 2014. Oil on Panel. Past owner of Wheaton Jewelers and expert watchmaker. Survived the concentration camps by fixing the guards' watches so he could get extra food for himself and his family. Imagine having those memories for the rest of your life.

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Saint of the South Side

Betty Howard. 2014. Oil on Panel. Innocent victim of gang/ gun violence in Chicago. Was a special education teacher and community volunteer. There is nothing nice about this. Keep killing our best people and see where we get.

~~~~~~~~~~

I've Seen Talent Thrown Away

Mike Cosgrove. 2014. Oil on Panel. As a teenager, Cosgrove was a great hockey goalie, but he was also a troubled person. He became famous in his own mind before he became famous on the ice, add in alcohol and drugs, and it all eventually collapsed. He had unwavering confidence in whatever he was doing, I'll say that.

~~~~~~~~~~

Getting the Crumbs

The artist. 2015. Oil on Panel. Someone told me once that "all those guys always did self portraits." It took me over 20 years, but this is the self portrait. What is really important about self portraits is that you can experiment and do what you want, because there isn't a client to please.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fashion Man

Vincent Falk. 2014. Oil on Panel.If you've lived in Chicago more then a few months you've seen Falk on the Michigan Ave. bridge doing his ... thing. For a town like Chicago that relishes in it's blue collar reputation, Vince is an enigma. But he is also the perfect Chicago Being, he found his niche, he puts in effort, doesn't bother anyone and Chicago said "Welcome."

Time Keeper

Albert Rifkind. 2014. Oil on Panel. Past owner of Wheaton Jewelers and expert watchmaker. Survived the concentration camps by fixing the guards' watches so he could get extra food for himself and his family. Imagine having those memories for the rest of your life.

~~~~~~~~~~

Saint of the South Side

Betty Howard. 2014. Oil on Panel. Innocent victim of gang/ gun violence in Chicago. Was a special education teacher and community volunteer. There is nothing nice about this. Keep killing our best people and see where we get.

~~~~~~~~~~

I've Seen Talent Thrown Away

Mike Cosgrove. 2014. Oil on Panel. As a teenager, Cosgrove was a great hockey goalie, but he was also a troubled person. He became famous in his own mind before he became famous on the ice, add in alcohol and drugs, and it all eventually collapsed. He had unwavering confidence in whatever he was doing, I'll say that.

~~~~~~~~~~

Getting the Crumbs

The artist. 2015. Oil on Panel. Someone told me once that "all those guys always did self portraits." It took me over 20 years, but this is the self portrait. What is really important about self portraits is that you can experiment and do what you want, because there isn't a client to please.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fashion Man

Vincent Falk. 2014. Oil on Panel.If you've lived in Chicago more then a few months you've seen Falk on the Michigan Ave. bridge doing his ... thing. For a town like Chicago that relishes in it's blue collar reputation, Vince is an enigma. But he is also the perfect Chicago Being, he found his niche, he puts in effort, doesn't bother anyone and Chicago said "Welcome."